The village is well served by the A46, accessing the M4 (at junction 18) and offering a direct route into Bath city centre. Both Bath and nearby Bristol offer diversity, the former offering a range of cultural experiences and the latter a cosmopolitan lifestyle. The M4, which is easily accessible, has direct access to London and South Wales and links to the M5 towards the Midlands and the South West. Schools in the area are excellent and include King Edward’s School, Kingswood School and Prior Park College in Bath. Badminton School and Clifton High School are both found in Bristol. Bath has numerous sporting clubs and there are premier division rugby clubs at Gloucester, Bristol and Bath.
There are various local golf courses and racecourses at Bath, Chepstow, Newbury, Cheltenham and Wincanton as well as Lansdown. Fishing is possible on the rivers Frome and Avon. Areas of outstanding natural beauty include Dyrham Park and the Frome Valley as well as the Cotswold Walkways. Bath has a nationally renowned music festival and a fine theatre as well as a famous array of historic sites and museums.
DESCRIPTION
Avonstone is Grade II listed, built in the early 19th century and substantially remodelled during the late 19th century. The impressive, projecting entrance porch is one example of the improvements and embellishments carried out during the late 1800s, and with its traditional moulded frieze, cornice on consoles and parapet with urns, it is a wonderful precursor to the elaborate plaster work and domes found within. The most appealing classical elevations are greatly enhanced by a striking three storey central bay window. Internally, much of the exquisite plasterwork is late 19th century, perhaps best seen in the large double drawing room that extends to approximately 585 sq ft.
- 6 bedrooms
- 3 reception rooms
- 5 bath/shower rooms
- Well maintained walled garden
- Terrace & hot tub
All of the main reception rooms are spacious and have spectacular views over the large rear garden and beyond. There is also access to a pretty wrought iron balcony that runs the width of the house. Much enhanced by the current vendor, the entire property commands an exceptionally high level of finish; all improvements, both decorative and structural, have been executed with flawless taste and real attention to detail.
Avonstone succeeds in retaining its original period charm and provides excellent accommodation for modern day family living, extravagant entertaining or social events alike. The prominent period features and flourishes that have been so beautifully preserved add character and gravitas to key rooms, including the wonderful domed room with its door to the balcony. Fireplaces – mainly marble – provide a focal point in main reception rooms. As one would expect of a Georgian gem, the proportions are excellent.
Rooms of note include the light and airy kitchen/breakfast room, very well equipped with an array of state-of-the-art appliances and a sleek granite work surface. It has double doors opening on to the garden and balcony and is lit by its large windows as well as an impressive central atrium – a smaller version of which can be found in the neighbouring servery. The good sized dining room, with two points of access - lies adjacent with the useful servery linking it to the kitchen/breakfast room. It comfortably seats ten. The lower ground floor of Avonstone provides direct access to the gardens and the rooms are still as well proportioned, if a little less grand, than those above.
The informal sitting room is positioned on this level, as well as the games room with adjacent kitchenette. There is one bedroom and a shower room as well as a laundry room, boiler room and Tylo sauna and steam room. Although currently part of the main house, there is a former front door to this level of the property that gives you the option of operating it as a self-contained flat or staff apartment. The bedrooms are located on the first and second floors, accessed via a spiral staircase with a polished inlayed handrail. The luxurious master bedroom suite has a glorious view over the main garden and a large window from which to enjoy it. There is a centralised fireplace and a contemporary en-suite bathroom, which is wired for sound and connected to the main music system that runs throughout the house. There are a further four bedrooms, one of which is en-suite. There is an upstairs cloakroom. Bedroom 5 and a family bathroom occupy the entire second floor. The beautifully maintained gardens and terracing lie to the rear of the house and provide the perfect, private setting for this impressive property.
Outbuilding
Connected to the side of the house, the outbuilding provides a large, useful Store Room and a wood store. It can be accessed from both the front and back garden.
Gardens and grounds
Accessed via a gravelled carriage driveway, the front garden provides a good foil for the house which is accentuated by carefully designed, stylised beds. It comprises a forsythia hedge and neat, clipped box arranged in an array of geometric shapes including triangles and concentric circles. Lavender and a few other shrubs are interspersed in sections and add a heavy scent during the warmer summer months. The large front hedge provides privacy and there is also a Parterre.
There is ample space for parking and parts of the driveway are lit by outdoor spot lighting. The main garden lies to the rear of Avonstone and can be reached via the lower ground floor of the house, or from steps leading down from the wrought iron balcony. Mainly laid to lawn, the garden is enclosed by a wall on all three sides.
The wide stone terrace provides the ideal al fresco dining spot and there is a discreet Beachcomber Hot Tub as well as spot lights set within the actual stone of the terrace. Steps lead down to the lawn, fringed with borders displaying a range of topiarised box and yew specimens, reminiscent of the garden to the front of the property. A Pergola, intertwined with jasmine, leads through to the play area with a tree house and trampoline.
Accomdation
Entrance Hall, Double Drawing Room, Dining Room, Servery, Kitchen/Breakfast Room with Atrium, Balcony, Sitting room, Study, Games Room, Sauna & Steam Room, Laundry, Cloakroom, Master Bedroom Suite, 4 Further Bedrooms
Bath/Shower Rooms, 2 Cloakrooms, Well Maintained Walled Gardens, Outbuilding, Parterre, Pergola, Terrace & Hot Tub.
For more infomation contact Savills on 01225 474 501